Freshwater Fishing Beginners Guide – Fly Fishing Rods
Written by billbam on September 29, 2009 – 11:01 am -Any serious hobbyist or professional fly fisherman knows that their fly fishing rod is a tool, selected to meet whatever challenges their environment and catch may send. Yet, for the casual hobbyist hoping to take the craft of fishing more seriously, the qualities that transform a plain rod into an extraordinary one aren’t obvious. If you’re hoping to purchase a quality rod for fly fishing but aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few pointers to help.
First, know your catch. Familiarize yourself with the waters in which you plan to fish, and with the size of the catch you’re likely to bring home. This knowledge will influence many of the qualities which you search for in a fly rod.
For instance, the size of your catch determines how heavy of a rod you should purchase. Lighter fish require a lighter rod, while larger fish of course require something heavier. Fly rods are not rated by pounds test, as is true with more traditional rods, but rather by the weight of their line, on a scale of 1 to 14. While a heavier line can help catch larger fish, it is also unwieldy and not suitable for beginners for whom 5 is often recommended.
Rod length is the next important consideration. Here, too, you should consider your environment. While rods average in at between 8 and 9 feet, tight conditions make larger rods unwieldy to carry and cast. Shorter rods are also better for children, or others for whom casting larger rods may be a challenge.
Another quality important to your purchase is the rod’s material. Rods are often constructed of graphite, with fiberglass and more traditional materials such as bamboo. For your first semi-serious rod, graphite is an excellent choice that makes the decision slightly less complicated.
Rods are often described in terms of their action. That is, a rod with a faster action bends more toward its tip, with the degree of the bend decreasing rapidly as it nears the handle. Slower action rods bend throughout their length, with the bend ending much nearer the handle. Each type of action has its relative advantages. As a beginner, and to make the decision less complicated, it is usually best to choose a rod with a moderate action. This tends to both help improve your cast, and to help you determine which type of action fits your style better.
Perhaps the best advice for your first somewhat serious purchase, however, is to not invest much until you are more sure of yourself. Nothing says that the next rod you purchase must be your last, or indeed your only, rod. It is one of several that you will own over the years as you hone your craft, discovering your preferences and style.
Spending lots of money on an expensive rod locks you into that particular rig’s advantages and flaws. When you are first learning something new is your best opportunity to explore it, before habits form and are hard to break. Purchasing an expensive rod may have you feeling trapped and unwilling to branch out. There is much more involved in selecting a good rod, but with these pointers in mind, you can begin your exploration into the exciting world of fly fishing.
A great example of the fly fishing rod is the “White River Fly Shop Classic Fly Rod.” This classic rod is smooth casting with a medium-fast action and is priced at under $100. Its IM-7 graphite blanks are made of high-quality components such as Fuji Hardloy stripping guides and a beautiful rosewood reel seat.
Tags: Environment, Fiberglass, Fish, Fishing Fly, Fishing Guide, Fishing Rods, Fly, Fly Fisherman, fly fishing, Fly Fishing Rod, Fly Rod, Fly Rods, Freshwater Fishing, Graphite, Hobbyist, Pointers, Quality Rod, Traditional Materials
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